We are all called to have a good self knowledge of ourselves. However, in doing this balance is the key to progress. 

In her book, Interior castle, chapter 2, St Therese of Avila, writes, “Although it is a great grace from God to practice self-examination, yet ‘too much is as bad as too little,’ as they say; believe me, by God’s help, we shall advance more by contemplating the Divinity than by keeping our eyes fixed on ourselves, poor creatures of earth that we are.” – St Therese of Avila, Interior Castle, Chapter 2

Being too comfortable with ourselves, to the point that we do not need any change is no good, nor is being too hard on ourselves, to the point that we are always dwelling on our weakness, feeling discouraged, disappointed and down. Neither of these extremes is advised.

What is needed? How do we make progress?

Keep your eyes fixed on Jesus, the perfector of all things, at all times. He is the giver of all grace and supplies our every need and is the source of all good things. 

“while we are continually absorbed in contemplating the weakness of our earthly nature, the springs of our actions will never flow free from the mire of timid, weak, and cowardly thoughts, such as: ‘I wonder whether people are noticing me or not! If I follow this course, will harm come to me? Dare I begin this work? Would it not be presumptuous? Is it right for any one as faulty as myself to speak on sublime spiritual subjects? Will not people think too well of me, if I make myself singular? Extremes are bad, even in virtue; sinful as I am I shall only fall the lower.”  St Therese of Avila, Interior Castle, Chapter 2

“Alas, my daughters, what loss the devil must have caused to many a soul by such thoughts as these! It thinks such ideas and many others of the same sort I could mention arise from humility. This comes from not understanding our own nature; self-knowledge becomes so warped that, unless we take our thoughts off ourselves, I am not surprised that these and many worse fears should threaten us. Therefore I maintain, my daughters, that we should fix our eyes on Christ our only good, and on His saints; there we shall learn true” St Therese of Avila, Interior Castle, Chapter 2

“humility, and our minds will be ennobled, so that self-knowledge will not make us base and cowardly. Although only the first, this mansion contains great riches and such treasures that if the soul only manages to elude the reptiles dwelling here, it cannot fail to advance farther“ – St Therese of Avila, Interior Castle, Chapter 2

Rather than being too focused on ourselves or our weakness which can lead to unnecessary fear and cowardly thinking. Let us boldly keep our eyes fixed on Him, and learn from Him, what is true, what is noble and what it means to be truly humble in His eyes. 

Prayer: Lord help us grow in true self knowledge of our souls in the light of Your love. Lord help us keep our eyes fixed on You always and never to take our eyes off You. Lord we fear we will fall, our weakness can overwhelm us. Father God, perfector of our faith, help us grow closer to You and help us to love You perfectly.